Can Biochar retain water in arid climates?  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naeema Al Nofeli ◽  
Fred Worrall
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Date Palm ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Water Binding ◽  
Palm Trees ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Water Holding ◽  
Palm Frond

<p>Many studies have indicated that biochar could retain water for an extended period of time. Very little has been demonstrated the behaviour of biochar in arid environments where water retention is vital. The United Arab Emirates is one of the warmest countries in the World where farmers enjoy harvesting more crops during winter, however, during summer date palm trees is one of the main sources of food.  About 44 million date palm trees produce approximately 20 Kilograms of palm frond waste per year per tree (which is around 0.88 million tons of date palm biomass annually). This waste is currently sent to landfills. In this study, we proposed that in the arid soil conditions found in the UAE, this date palm waste could be converted to biochar and used to improve the water holding capacity of UAE soils. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the water holding capacity of amendments of date palm frond (DPF) and its biochar in UAE soils in different local weather conditions (winter and summer). A mesocosm experiment was used to assess the treatments at summer and winter temperature conditions. For the mesocosm, there were 6 different biochar and DPF treatments (1%, 3%, 6%, 12%, 15% and 18% biochar or DPF in soil) along with the controls (sharp sand, DPF biochar and DPF). The experiment was divided into 3 cycles with varying modified humidity. The impact of the experimental treatments was assessed using ANOVA. Both biochar and DPF had no significant effect during the first two cycles (wet and dry) but during the third cycle, the DPF had a 1% better water holding capacity than biochar. Given the mass loss of 5.7% during the production of biochar from DPF. It would seem that the best option is simply use collected date palm fronds. Therefore, further investigations are being processed to assess water binding capacity and physiochemical properties of the biochar, DPF and soil. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>

The Potential for Biochar to Mitigate the Impact of Climate Change

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naeema Al Nofeli ◽  
Fred Worrall
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Date Palm ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Palm Tree ◽  
Gravimetric Analysis ◽  
Growth Experiment ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Water Holding ◽  
Palm Frond

<p><span>The date palm tree has been mainly used as a source of food in the MENA (Middle East North Africa) region. Specifically, in the United Arab Emirates produces over 44 million date palm trees yearly, each tree generates approximately 20 Kilograms of palm frond waste per year and this waste is currently sent to landfills. In this study, we proposed that in the arid soil conditions found in the UAE, this date palm waste could be converted to biochar and used to improve the water holding capacity of UAE soils. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test whether amendments of date palm frond (DPF) and its biochar could improve the water holding capacity of soils. A mesocosm design and a plant growth experiment were used to assess the treatments at summer temperature conditions. For the mesocosm, there were 6 different biochar and DPF treatments (1%, 3%, 6%, 12%, 15% and 18% biochar or DPF in soil) along with the controls (sharp sand, DPF biochar and DPF). The experiment was divided into 3 cycles (wet, dry, and dry with a water bowl (waw)). The impact of the experimental treatments was assessed using ANOVA. Both Biochar and DPF had no significant effect during the first two cycles (wet and dry) but during the third cycle, the DPF appeared to have better water holding capacity than Biochar. A plant growth experiment was conducted with 6 different treatment (controls - sand, DPF and Biochar; and Biochar at 1%, 6%,15% and 18%). Cat grass was used for measuring its temperature, height, moisture and pH. Water was irrigated during the first 3 weeks then the soil treatments left to dry. The results of the greatest growth for 1% Biochar. Further investigations are being processed using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Carbon, Nitrogen, Hydrogen & Oxygen (CHNO), </span><span>Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) & Computerized tomography (CT) scan.</span><span> This is to assess water binding capacity and physiochemical properties of the Biochar, DPF and soil.  </span></p>

Impact of high-pressure homogenization on the microstructure and rheological properties of citrus fiber

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dianbin Su ◽  
Xin-Di Zhu ◽  
Yong Wang ◽  
Dong Li ◽  
Li-Jun Wang
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
High Pressure ◽  
Rheological Properties ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Loss Modulus ◽  
High Pressure Homogenization ◽  
Carreau Model ◽  
Hydration Properties ◽  
Water Binding ◽  
Water Holding

Abstract Citrus fiber dispersion with different concentrations (5–25 g/kg) was treated by high-pressure homogenization (90 and 160 MPa) for two cycles. The particle size distribution, hydration properties of powders, morphology and rheological measurements were carried out to study the microstructure and rheological properties changes by high-pressure homogenization (HPH). In conclusion, the HPH can reduce the particle size of fiber, improve the water holding capacity and water binding capacity. Furthermore, fiber shape can be modified from globular cluster to flake-like slices, and tiny pores can be formed on the surface of citrus fiber. The apparent viscosity, storage modulus and loss modulus were increased by HPH whereas the activation energy was reduced. The Hershcel–Bulkley model, Carreau model and Power Law mode were selected to evaluate the rheological properties.

scholarly journals Physical Properties of Flours Obtained from Wasted Bread Crusts and Crumbs

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 282
Author(s):  
Juan Fernández-Peláez ◽  
Priscila Guerra ◽  
Cristina Gallego ◽  
Manuel Gomez
Keyword(s):  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Hydration Properties ◽  
Water Binding ◽  
Know How ◽  
Gelling Properties ◽  
Viscous Modulus ◽  
The World ◽  
Distribution Process ◽  
Water Holding ◽  
Wheat Flours

One third of the food produced in the world is wasted. Bread is one of the most wasted foods both during the distribution process and in households. To use these breads, it is necessary to get to know the properties of the flours that can be obtained from them. The purpose of this work is to know how the type of bread and its zone (crumb or crust) influence the characteristics of the flours obtained from the wasted bread. For this, flours made from the crumbs and crusts of eight different breads have been analysed. Their hydration properties, cold and post-heating rheology and gelling properties as well as the colour of flours and gels have been studied. Bread flours present higher water-holding capacity (WHC) and water-binding capacity (WBC) values and higher elastic modulus (G’) and viscous modulus (G”) values, both in cold conditions and after heating, than wheat flours. However, they generate weaker gels. Crust flours, and the gels obtained from them, are darker than those from crumbs and their gels. In terms of hydration and rheology, pan and wholemeal bread flours are generally lower than other bread flours. These flours also generate softer gels, possibly caused by the dilution of starch with other components. It can be concluded that the properties shown by wasted bread flours allow them to be reintroduced in the food chain as an ingredient in different products.

scholarly journals Biomechanics of Atlas Cedar Roots in response to the Medium Hydromechanical Characteristics

Scientifica ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Belkacem EL Amrani ◽  
Mohammed Bendriss Amraoui
Keyword(s):  
Root Architecture ◽  
Aerial Part ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Main Root ◽  
Short Root ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Water Holding ◽  
Stimulation Of

The biomechanical root flexibility in response to hydromechanical soil heterogeneity is the most determining factor of the root architecture which plays a paramount role in mycorrhizal infection and allows the seedlings to adapt to the environmental constraint. We examined the impact of five different hydromechanical medium properties (hydroponics, vermiculite, vermiculite-gravel, sawdust, and sand) on the morphology, physiology, and anatomy of Cedrus atlantica seedlings at a controlled growth chamber. The growth of the seedling is strongly stimulated by the hydroponic medium through the stimulation of the aerial part dry weight and the main root length. However, the sand medium increases the main root dry weight by the radial expanse stimulation at the level of the epidermis, vascular cylinder, and cortex and compensates the less root architecture by the stimulation of the xylem and phloem areas. In contrast to sand and hydroponic media, the sawdust medium stimulates the phloem/xylem ratio, the root architecture, and the short roots. The Pearson bilateral correlation shows that the aerial part dry weight is positively correlated with the permeability, porosity, and water-holding capacity and negatively with the bulk density and density at saturation, whereas the short root production is negatively correlated with the permeability and water-holding capacity. Hence, the hydromechanical characteristics of the soils must be taken into account in the reforestation and mycorrhization attempts.

Using a Crop Simulation Model to Understand the Impact of Risk Aversion on Optimal Irrigation Management

2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 2111-2122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rulianda P. Wibowo ◽  
Nathan P. Hendricks ◽  
Isaya Kisekka ◽  
Alemie Araya
Keyword(s):  
Risk Aversion ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Modeling Framework ◽  
Irrigated Area ◽  
Irrigation Depth ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Water Holding ◽  
Seasonal Irrigation

Abstract. We studied optimal irrigation management by risk-averse farmers with different soil types under limited well capacity. Our modeling framework allowed us to assess the optimal adjustment along the intensive margins (i.e., changes in seasonal irrigation depth) and along the extensive margins (i.e., changes in irrigated area). Our empirical application uses AquaCrop to simulate corn yields with historical weather in southwest Kansas under a large number of potential irrigation strategies. We show that risk aversion significantly increases total water use, especially for low and medium well capacities. While farmers decreased irrigated area due to risk aversion, the increase in water use occurred because it was optimal to increase the seasonal irrigation depth to reduce production risk. The increase in seasonal irrigation depth arises mostly from reduced management allowable depletion (MAD) levels in the initial crop growth stages of corn. Counterintuitively, risk aversion had a smaller impact on water use for a soil with a smaller soil water holding capacity. This result arises because optimal irrigation under risk neutrality is larger for soils with a smaller water holding capacity. Our results highlight the importance of accounting for risk aversion when estimating the optimal irrigation management strategy and show that the impact of risk aversion differs significantly by well capacity and soil type. Keywords: AquaCrop, Irrigation, Risk, Well capacity.

scholarly journals Functionality of Cricket and Mealworm Hydrolysates Generated after Pretreatment of Meals with High Hydrostatic Pressures

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (22) ◽  
pp. 5366
Author(s):  
Alexandra Dion-Poulin ◽  
Myriam Laroche ◽  
Alain Doyen ◽  
Sylvie L. Turgeon
Keyword(s):  
Enzymatic Hydrolysis ◽  
Functional Properties ◽  
Protein Denaturation ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Enzymatic Digestion ◽  
Western Society ◽  
Degree Of Hydrolysis ◽  
Water Binding ◽  
The Impact ◽  
High Hydrostatic Pressures

The low consumer acceptance to entomophagy in Western society remains the strongest barrier of this practice, despite these numerous advantages. More positively, it was demonstrated that the attractiveness of edible insects can be enhanced by the use of insect ingredients. Currently, insect ingredients are mainly used as filler agents due to their poor functional properties. Nevertheless, new research on insect ingredient functionalities is emerging to overcome these issues. Recently, high hydrostatic pressure processing has been used to improve the functional properties of proteins. The study described here evaluates the functional properties of two commercial insect meals (Gryllodes sigillatus and Tenebrio molitor) and their respective hydrolysates generated by Alcalase®, conventionally and after pressurization pretreatment of the insect meals. Regardless of the insect species and treatments, water binding capacity, foaming and gelation properties did not improve after enzymatic hydrolysis. The low emulsion properties after enzymatic hydrolysis were due to rapid instability of emulsion. The pretreatment of mealworm meal with pressurization probably induced protein denaturation and aggregation phenomena which lowered the degree of hydrolysis. As expected, enzymatic digestion (with and without pressurization) increased the solubility, reaching values close to 100%. The pretreatment of mealworm meal with pressure further improved its solubility compared to control hydrolysate, while pressurization pretreatment decreased the solubility of cricket meal. These results may be related to the impact of pressurization on protein structure and therefore to the generation of different peptide compositions and profiles. The oil binding capacity also improved after enzymatic hydrolysis, but further for pressure-treated mealworm hydrolysate. Despite the moderate effect of pretreatment by high hydrostatic pressures, insect protein hydrolysates demonstrated interesting functional properties which could potentially facilitate their use in the food industry.

Forest composition and inferred dynamics in Jengka Forest Reserve, Malaysia

1987 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. C. Ho ◽  
D. McC. Newbery ◽  
M. E. D. Poore
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Forest Succession ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Soil Series ◽  
Forest Reserve ◽  
Soil Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Water Holding

ABSTRACT1211 trees of 3 ft (0.91 m) girth or more were enumerated in 288 1-ch2 (about 400 m2) quadrats forming a 11.7 ha plot on the mainly Segamat soil series, Jengka Forest Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia, in 1964. Of the 261 taxa, 84% were identified to species. Five per cent of the area was of the permanently wetter Akob soil series. The plot was topographically flat and lay about 3 km west of the plot on the Batu Anam soil series, described in an earlier paper. Data on the chemical composition of the three soils are summarized here from a survey in 1967.The vegetation on the Segamat series is of the Shorea-Dipterocarpus type of lowland dipterocarp forest. It has an unusually high abundance of the Euphorbiaceae (25% of trees) and a clear dominant species, Elateriospermum tapos. E. tapos, which regenerates profusely in the shade, grows up in small gaps and is strongly clumped, and appears well suited to the very friable, relatively nutrient-rich soil of the Segamat series, with lower soil-water holding capacity especially in dry periods.Forest on the Segamat series is floristically very different from that on the Batu Anam series. This is most likely due to large differences in soil properties, the latter being of lower clay content, less nutrient-rich and, having a greater soil-water holding capacity at least in dry periods. It was dominated by Dipterocarpaceae.Classification of quadrats on the Segamat series highlighted four classes; vegetation of the main E. tapos-dominated type on relatively dry soil (54% of plot area), vegetation on the wet Akob soil (21%), an association of shade-tolerant, mainly understorey trees beneath non-E. tapos-associated emergents (11%), and an association of long-lived, light-demanding pioneer trees of late-successional stages (11%); 3% of plot had no enumerated trees. Ordination showed that the plot was largely homogeneous with respect to edaphic factors but clearly displayed stages in forest succession.The possible dynamics of the Segamat forest are inferred in terms of species autecology. Two hypotheses are advanced to explain the composition of the Segamat forest: (a) a dynamic equilibirum, (b) a non-equilibrium recovery from a recent catastrophe. The latter was thought more likely. Compared with the more benign Batu Anam environment, where co-dominants might be ‘ecologically equivalent’, the more selective soil conditions on the Segamat leads to reduced equivalence, with accidents of regeneration playing a smaller role in the local distribution of the most abundant species.

Effect of Ultrafine Pulverization on Properties of Apple Pomace Powder

2011 ◽  
Vol 236-238 ◽  
pp. 2560-2563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Chao Liu ◽  
Zhong Gao Jiao ◽  
Xin Hong Liang ◽  
Lei Han ◽  
Hui Liu
Keyword(s):  
Water Solubility ◽  
Total Phenolics ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Apple Pomace ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Ultrafine Powder ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Water Holding

Ultrafine pulverization technology was applied for producing apple pomace powder, and the physical-chemical properties of the ultrafine powder including fluidity, water solubility, water holding capacity, fat binding capacity, and solubility of total phenolics and sugars were investigated. Results suggested that ultrafine pulverization had distinct effect on surface properties of apple pomace powder. With decreasing the size of apple pomace powder, the flow behavior and water solubility were improved, and the dissolubility of total phenolics and sugars increased significantly, while the water holding capacity and fat binding capacity decreased. These results would provide useful insight for exploiting the potential applications of apple pomace ultrafine powder in functional foods as well as extracting polyphenols and polysaccharides for commercial practices.

scholarly journals Dietary Fiber Content, Water-Holding Capacity and Binding Capacity of Seaweeds

1996 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 454-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeshi Suzuki ◽  
Yasufumi Ohsugi ◽  
Yumiko Yoshie ◽  
Takaaki Shirai ◽  
Toshiyuki Hirano
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Fiber ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Fiber Content ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Water Holding
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